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The stories of estates, their owners, and staff have inspired countless books — both fiction
and non-fiction. Here are a few that tell more about the people and history of Britain's great
houses:
The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon
Below Stairs by Margaret Powell
Life Below Stairs in the Victorian and Edwardian Country House by Sian Evans
Inheritance: The Story of Knole and the Sackvilles by Robert Sackville-West
The Edwardians by Vita Sackville-West
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Great houses make great television and film locations. On average, as many as three film
crews are using National Trust properties every day of the year, so it's not unusual to en-
counter cameras and crews when visiting iconic houses in Britain.
Here are just a handful of other television series and feature films that have focused on
great houses and those who lived and worked in them:
The King's Speech (2010) Based on the story of King George VI and his relationship with
his middle-class speech therapist. Starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.
Upstairs Downstairs (2010 - ) The BBC continues the storyline from the previous series.
Gosford Park (2001) A mystery/comedy/drama directed by Robert Altman and written by
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellows. This is a 1930s story of a shooting party at an Eng-
lish country house. Murder follows dinner. Guests and servants are suspects. Helen Mirren
and Maggie Smith head an ensemble cast.
Monarch of the Glen (2000 - 2005) Contemporary British miniseries set in Scotland with
many of the same themes and stories as Downton Abbey , such as: the death of an estate's
heir and the struggle to identify a replacement; the pull of city life compared to the country
setting of an estate; financial sustainability of historic homes and properties; on again off
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